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Joanne Valvano, PhD, PT

Assistant Professor

Office:
University of Colorado Denver
Physical Therapy Program - C244
Education Building 2 South
13121 E. 17th Avenue - PO Box 6508
Room 3133
Aurora, CO 80045
Phone:
303-724-1906
Email:
joanne.valvano@uchsc.edu

Professional Credentials, Licensure, and Certification(s)

  • Physical Therapy Licensure: Colorado # 6591

Institution & Location Degree Yr. Conferred Field of Study

  • Temple University , Philadelphia , PA. BS 1968-1972,: Physical Therapy
  • Boston University , Boston , MA , MS: 1975-1976 Physical Therapy
  • Penn State , University Park , PA PhD 1990-1995:: Exercise Science

Offices, Membership in Professional Organizations, Advisory Councils, Boards, etc.

  • Member American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
  • Member: Sections on Pediatrics; Neurology; Education
  • Member: North American Society for the Study of Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity
  • Member: Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society.

Major Research and Professional Interests

  • Motor learning by children with neurological disorders; Pediatric physical therapy

Clinical Practice

  • Pediatric Physical Therapy (not in clinical practice, currently)

Teaching Responsibilities

  • Motor Control; Neurophysiology(Applications and Review);Evidence-based Practice

Service Activities

  • Manuscript Reviewer: Pediatric Physical Therapy. 1/2000-present.
  • Member, Research Committee, Section on Pediatrics, APTA, 6/2001 –present
  • Member, Committee to develop a clinical pathway for intervention with spastic diplegia,
  • Section on Pediatrics, APTA, 8/2001 – present.
  • Member, Practice Committee, Section on Pediatrics, APTA, 1997-2001; 2003-2004
  • Member, Research Committee of the Neurodevelopmental Treatment Association. 1995-2000 (Small grants chair: 1998- 6/2000)
  • Editorial Board: Pediatric Physical Therapy . 1988-1999
  • Member of Board of Directors: United Cerebral Palsy Association of Philadelphia Area. 1997-1998

Research Grants

  • Practice of a bimanual motor task by children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and children with typical development. Mary Switzer Research Award (National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research). Roles: Principle Investigator. $45,000. 9/2003-9/2004.
  • Effects of verbal and physical guidance on the learning of a novel gross motor skill by children with spastic cerebral palsy. Submitted and funded by Research Foundation of the United Cerebral Palsy Association. Roles: Investigator; Project manager. $50,000. 7/2000-1/2002.

Recent Publications

Valvano J. Neuromotor Systems: Intervention Strategies. In S. Effgen (Ed.) Meeting the physical therapy needs of children . (in press) F A Davis : Philadelphia .

Valvano J. A model for activity-focused interventions for children with neurological conditions. Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics. (In press: 2004)

Thorpe DE & Valvano J. The effects of knowledge of results and cognitive strategies on motor skill learning by children with cerebral palsy. Pediatric Physical Therapy. 2003:14, 2-15.

Habib Z, Westcott S, & Valvano J. Assessment of balance abilities in Pakistani children: A cultural perspective. Pediatric Physical Therapy . 1999: 11, 73-82.